Hannah and her Besties.

Well she did it. She finally found her mobile freedom to finally become an Iowa certified driver at the young age of 16. It's a bittersweet moment in our household. The home where our little barrel of baby joy soon turned into a beautiful young woman. It amazes me how quickly time flies. Everyone always told me, though I never really knew why until now. I have so many stamped memories in my brain that I'm trying to connect through the non-digital days of photo-taking. I really need to take a day off from work to just sort through the boxes of unorganized photos before the memories in my brain fade. I confess, three girls makes me really need the vice of pictures at times.

O Hannah. You really amaze us every day. Don't act like the word "amaze" is always positive, however. We shake our heads at times with your lack of common grown-up sensibility then catch ourselves in the thought that you are only a kid. Sorry, an old kid. You are our 1st born, our experiment really. I mean, mom and dad weren't exactly experts when you arrived at home. We stared at you in your car seat, thinking, now what?  Do we take you out of the car seat.. you're not crying. But then what do we do with you?

Looking at you today, I'm feeling pretty good that we figured it out. You are the oldest member of your family. A role model for your sisters. So far, well, you need to ask them! You have such a love for life that we are so proud of. You have amazing character. Always so kind to people no matter who they are, what they look like or what their handicap may be. Your sisters look up to you so much and our hearts are warm that you would always be there for them, before anything else in life.  I'm only glad you finally realized Katy was my baby and not yours when your were eight years old. It's your protective heart and soul that makes you so grounded, so you. And so confident.

Your attitude has always been bubbly fun. In fact when you're not smiling, something feels so wrong. You bring life to every situation and it's contagious. Don't ever lose your bubbly, baby. Life has thrown you quite a handful of sadness for a teenager. And your attitude of life has gotten you through it.

Your life's journey is just beginning. You may have thought you were on that journey back in the day when you were looking for a ride. The easy days when people picked you up, pushed you or pulled you in a wagon. Your freedom to drive is no different than what you experienced growing up. It's what road you're going to travel that is the journey. Where are you going to go in life? What is your path? That's the exciting thing. And it's going to take you and your legs and your feet and maybe a little mind sense to determine where you're going to go. The world is yours. O Hannah, to be 16 is a gift in itself. You are going places in your life's journey. And you need to know that you have the bubbly and enthusiasm to drink it up and live the life you imagined. Nothing is stopping you.

Your mantra for life is rock solid. As I've learned from you, YOLO baby.  Love, mom. (aka momrocks45!)